Gubby Allen

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Throughout the Ashes series we'll be posting a variation on our usual Heroes & Zeroes theme and naming those that have starred or sunk at each of the five venues over the years. These will coincide with the actual action taking place in the 2010/11 series.

We start with an example of real valour and courage from the Brisbane Test in the infamous Bodyline Series of 1932/33. England led 2-1 going into what was the 4th Test and a win would see Douglas Jardine's side achieve its quest for the Ashes.

Eddie Paynter had been taken to hospital with tonsillitis and if England had responded strongly to Australia's first innings of 340, would probably not have batted. But all did not go well, and at 216 for 6 he emerged from the pavilion, refused Woodfull's offer of a runner, made his way to 24 not out at the close, and returned to his hospital bed for the night. Next morning, Paynter fought his way to 83 in just under four hours and put on 92 with Verity for the ninth wicket. England had their first innings lead and then Larwood, Allen and Verity dismissed Australia for just 165 and the Ashes were back in English hands.

Wisden's description of Paynter's innings states that he although he was "normally quick on his feet and a fine driver, he had conserved energy by waiting for opportunities to hit the ball to leg, preferably to the boundary".

Paynter's bravery, his ability to adapt and the significance of the match meant that few innings in history have so captivated the imagination of the public - the picture used with this piece is one that we certainly remember well from our childhood. Paynter's courage knew no bounds as he then insisted on fielding for a couple of hours before retiring and then, to cement his place in Ashes folklore even more, finished the match with a 6.

Eddie Paynter is an unsung hero no more. For bravery beyond the call of duty in England's hour of need and for his staggering average of 84.42 inhis seven Tests against Australia, the left-handed Yorkshireman is a Reverse Sweep hero.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Detractors of test cricket should be made to watch a re-run of the whole day's play again and again. This was test cricket at its best as the day fluctuated from one side to the other. We saw brilliant bowling from Mohammad Aamer and excellent catching from Pakistan in the morning and then the bravest of rearguards from Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad before they launched a thrilling counterattack. Can any other form of cricket or any other sport offer a rollercoaster of action and emotion like test cricket? Of course not.

England's Mr Dependable

At the start of the summer, many observers predicted that Jonathan Trott was the most likely of the seven batsmen to miss out come the Ashes. How wrong they were (Yes, we were guilty too...). Trott has just gone quietly about his business in his own inimitable style and has now made the number three position his own. Trott's innings today probably even surpassed the hundred he made on debut in the Ashes decider last summer. The way he batted out of his crease and used his feet to nullify Mohammad Asif gave England some breathing space, which meant that first with Prior and then with Broad, Trott was able to lead England's amazing recovery. Trott passed 1,000 test runs during his innings, now averages 56 in tests and is what a shadow of a doubt England's Mr Dependable. What a turnaround.

Beating your Dad is sweet, but beating Ponting is sweeter

Not only was this Stuart Broad's first test and first-class hundred, but when he reached 123 it also became the highest score ever by an England number nine (beating Gubby Allen's landmark of 1931). After spending some time in the middle at The Oval during another rearguard (this time with Prior), Broad rediscovered the talent with the bat that hasn't been apparent for over a year now. It was a wonderfully positive knock and Broad proved a perfect foil to Trott's more obdurate style. Reaching a hundred also earned Broad bragging rights at home as his father's best test score at Lord's was 86. Broad is now on the honours board at the home of cricket where a certain Ricky Ponting's name is a notable absentee. Bet he can't wait to remind him of that come November 25th.

Aamer the record breaker

For the second test in a row, Mohammad Aamer was simply unplayable during an inspired spell. Last time it was a masterful display of pace, reverse swing and late movement, this time it was pace and traditional swing both ways as Aamer obtained late movement again to bamboozle England's out of form middle order. Prior's wicket after lunch gave him his second successive five for and his 50th wicket in test cricket, which if his passport is to be believed makes him the youngest bowler to reach this milestone in test history. He has now taken 30 wickets this summer and one wonders how much he could achieve in the game. On this form, the sky's the limit.

Another test, another wretched England batting collapse

England's batting travails in this series have been highlighted and dissected throughout the week, but the loss of four wickets in eight Aamer balls was a new low. Trott and Prior may be in decent form, but the rest are having a dreadful run. The averages for five of the top six in this series make worrying reading. Morgan averages 29.16 despite that hundred at Trent Bridge. The others are even worse with Strauss 25.83, Cook 23.85, Pietersen 23.33 and Collingwood a calamitous 19.83. Ricky Ponting must be licking his lips in anticipation.

Butt backs the wrong horse

Apart from their woeful fielding during the Trott-Broad partnership, the worst aspect of Pakistan's play was the support bowling. For the first time in this series, England nullified the threat of Saeed Ajmal and played him with ease - especially Trott. Wahab Riaz, the hero on debut in the first innings at The Oval, looked like a novice and carried absolutely no threat. Whether Butt and Waqar went for Wahab over a fit again Umar Gul because of his performance at The Oval or because they want to save Gul for the one dayers, it was the wrong choice and has probably cost them the match. With Gul, Pakistan could have wrapped up the England innings for less than 150.

Player of the day

Take your pick from Aamer, Broad and Trott, but we opt for the latter. He was in when the ball was darting everywhere, skilfully handled Aamer and Asif and kept his focus despite all the chaos at the other end. England's Mr Dependable has probably secured the series for his side.

Zero of the day

Kevin Pietersen's form has gone from a concern to a disaster. He even admitted himself before this test match that he has lost his swagger and confidence. The shot he played to get out was dreadful with Geoff Boycott summing it up perfectly on Test Match Special "If I'd played a shot like that, I'd have cut my throat". Yes, it was that bad.

Friday, August 27, 2010

If either side loses the first two tests at Brisbane and Adelaide then they can pretty much write off their hopes of winning the series. That is because only once in Ashes history (and indeed test history), has a side ever come back from two-nil down to win a five test series.

And that side contained (and was led by) one Donald George Bradman - the greatest batsmen (and perhaps cricketer) of them all. At number 90 in our Ashes 100-1 countdown, we take a brief look at the series in question - the 1936/37 series in Australia, where the England side was captained by Gubby Allen.

1st Test - Brisbane: England won by 322 runs

In the run-up to the test series, Allen's side were not given much of a chance of regaining the Ashes. Results in warm-up matches had been poor, they were playing in Australian conditions and their hosts had Bradman newly installed at the helm of a fine side. But a combination of shrewd selection, winning the toss, good cricket and rain later in the match saw England record a big victory. Leyland's century formed the basis of England's 1st innings of 358 before Voce inspired an Australian collapse to earn England a 124 run lead, despite an even hundred from Fingleton. A battling 68 from Allen meant that Australia needed an unlikely 381 to win. This task became impossible when an overnight thunderstorm meant Australia had to bat on a sticky dog. They duly subsided for 58 in less than 13 overs with Voce ending up with match figures of 10 for 57.

2nd Test - Sydney: England won by an innings and 22 runs

Allen's luck with the toss continued and England closed on a rain interrupted day two on 426 for six with Hammond unbeaten on 231. Then heavy overnight rain led to Allen declaring, even though this was a timeless test. This proved a shrewd move as once again the Australians were caught on a wet pitch and were unceremoniously bundled out for 80 - Bradman making a duck. The Australian captain did better in the 2nd innings making 82 after Allen enforced the follow-on. McCabe also did well, hitting 93 but when he was sixth man out on 318 the end followed soon after as Australia lost their last five wickets for six runs. A jubilant England were now 2-0 up in the series and had one hand on the urn.

3rd Test - Melbourne: Australia won by 365 runs

This test started on New Year's Day and it was certainly a case of out with the old and in with the new as Australia made four changes to their side. This time Bradman won the toss and again the weather over the five days made this crucial. On a rain-affected first Day, England restricted Australia to 181 for six, but more heavy overnight rain made the uncovered pitch a minefield when the second day's play finally began after lunch. Bradman declared the Australian innings at 200 for nine in order that his bowlers could take advantage. They did this with aplomb as England crashed to 76 for nine, when Allen also declared. Bradman countered by sending in his tail-enders first and when batting conditions improved on day 3, he was ready to make hay. This he did with inimitable style adding 346 for the sixth wicket with Fingleton (136). By the time Bradman was the ninth man out he had made a colossal 270 and England were doomed. Set 689 to win they made 323 with a brave undefeated 111 from Leyland. Australia were back in the series and Bradman was back in form.

Jack Fingleton (left) with Don Bradman

4th Test - Adelaide: Australia won by 148 runs

Bradman won the toss for the second match in a row, but this time it didn't look like it would be crucial when England were sitting comfortably at 259 for four in reply to Australia's 1st innings of 288. But the loss of Barnett (129) started a slide, which led to England succumbing for 330 and only a small lead of 42. This proved small fry to Bradman as he hit his second successive double century to put Australia in the ascendancy and set England 392 to win. Despite reaching 148 for three with Hammond looking good, Fleetwood-Smith (six for 110) made use of the fifth day wicket to spin Australia to victory. Parity had been restored.

5th Test - Melbourne: Australia won by an innings and 200 runs

A third successive toss for Bradman meant that the result was never in doubt from the start. Once again Bradman led from the front with 169 and centuries also from McCabe and Baldock enabled Australia to make 604 - their then highest total on home soil. England reached 184 for four by the end of the third day, so they were already up against it. The thunderstorms that came that night made a difficult task impossible and fourteen English wickets fell the next day as O'Reilly (match figures of eight for 109) exploited the conditions. The last rites were read on the morning of the fifth day and Australia had completed an unlikely comeback.

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